A history of jazz and the genius of Duke Ellington who painted colours with music is told through Brian Pinkney’s vivid art and Andrea Pinkney’s equally vivid text. A biography that feels more like a story, Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and his Orchestra engages the reader through historical touch points such as the Cotton Club and Carnegie Hall.
Listen to some of Duke Ellington’s jazz (see video below) and have students paint swirls and colours to match what they hear. Research other jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltraine, Thelonious Monk. Compare jazz to other music genres.
